Trooper arrested on threat charge

A Pennsylvania state trooper was charged Tuesday after his wife accused him of holding a pocketknife to her neck during a confrontation at their home earlier in the day.

Marc Damon Packrall, 36, of Morey Road, Fredericktown, was charged by East Bethlehem Township police with terroristic threats and harassment.

Police were called to Millsboro Avenue for a report of an argument that turned physical between Packrall and his wife, Dana Packrall.

Dana Packrall told township police Chief Mark Pompe the two of them were arguing on the steps of the deck outside their home when her husband pulled out the knife. He allegedly placed the knife on her neck just below her left ear, used obscenities and told her that if he got rid of her, he would get custody of their daughter.

Dana Packrall told police she feared for her life.

Marc Packrall initially was taken into custody by state police when he reported to work Tuesday afternoon at the Chambersburg station of Troop H.

Packrall was arraigned on the charges before District Judge Todd R. Williams in Scotland, Franklin County, and released. He then appeared for arraignment Wednesday morning in Washington County before District Judge Joshua Kanalis and was released on $25,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is set for May 6 before Kanalis.

Packrall, who graduated from the state police academy in April 2011, was assigned to Troop H at that time. A state police spokeswoman said Wednesday Packrall is suspended without pay.

Kathie Warco

Staff Writer

Kathie O. Warco has covered the police beat and transportation for the Observer-Reporter for more than 25 years. She graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in journalism.